Clutch.



o D. MORGAN.`

CLUTCH.

- APPLIoATIoN FILED Nov. 27, 1909.

Patented Dea-13,1910. f

0. D. MORGAN.

y CLUTCH. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27, 1909.

Patented Dec. 13, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 @f SHN/imma@ v 0.11).y MQRGAN.-

CLUTCH.

APPLIQATION FILED NOV. 27, 1909.

Pna Dec. 13, 1910.

` 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ORVILLE D. MORGAN, OF BURKE, WASHINGTON.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application inea November 27, 1909. serial No. 530,160.

' CLUTCH.

ratente'fnec. 13, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORVILLE D. Montieri, a citizen' of the United States, residing at Burke, `in the county ofGrant and State of Washington, have invented newv and useful Improvements in Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic safety clutches, the' object' in view being to provide" a device of the character referred to which is particularly designed for use upon the .winding drum shaft or donkey engine for `vention is to provide positive meansfor releasing the drum from frictional engagement with the drivinggear wheel thereby doingaway with the spring now in common use and also doing away with the necessity of renewing and replacing such spring at frequent intervals,l an operationy which is time-consuming and diiiicult.

The device also operates as an indicator to the engineer and others as it notities the engineer when the line or cable is overloaded enabling the trouble to be adjusted and overcome before breaking the line or cable. It also does away with the necessity of a second engineeror assistant. y

The invent-ion is not limited to the use of the clutch in connection with any particular make or type of engine or may be used on a variety of engines, such as are used for logging or hoisting purposes or for operating steam shovels and the like and it may also be observed that the clutch, as a whole, will operate equally as well with air, steam o r hydraulic power. y f 'With the above and other objects lin view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists .in 'the novel construction,.combination and arrangement of parts as herein fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying'drawings :-Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the "improved automatic clutch, showing the '55" driving gearwheel, the drum and other .parts in section and showing-a drum'shaft partly in section and partly in elevation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged'sctional view of the operating valve casing' and parts associated therewith. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of the same mechanism, taken at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section through the drum shaft taken in line with the key. Fig. 5 is a sid elevation 0f on'e of the slotted take-up collars. Fig. 6 is an edge view of the complemental take-up collars. Fi' 7 is a plan View of the controller valve. lig. 8 is an inner face view of the balanced spring seat. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the clutch-operating piston.

Referring tothe drawings, 1' designates the drum shaft upon which the cable hold- .ing,drum 2 is loosely mounted, said' drum embodying the usual heads or flanges 3 and being provided on one side with concentric friction flanges 4L having outwardly diverging friction faces 5.

6 designates theA driving gear wheel which is fast on the shaft 1 and which rotates continuously therewith. This gear 6 may vbe driven in any suitable manner and is provided on the side zu'ijacent to the drum 2 with a friction ring 7 havingfouter and inn'e'r inclined friction faces 8 corresponding in shape with the inclined faces 5 kof the friction flanges 4 of the drum 2 so that when the iian'ges 4 and ring 8 are in frictio'nal Contact with e'a'ch other, the drum is taken up by the gear wheel 6 and revolved, thereby winding the cable or line on the drum.

At one side of the drum and at the corresponding end of the drum shaft 1, there is arranged a cylinder comprising opposite heads 9 and 10, one of said heads 9 being provided with a circumferential flange' or rim 11 forming the' outer peripheral wall of the cylinder and the other of the two heads bcing provided with circumferential flanges or lugs 12 adapted to receive bolts 13 for securing the two sections of the cylinder to,-A gether. Mounted to reciprocate in cylinder .is a hollow piston 14` provided with the usual piston rings 15. Said piston is mounted fast on one end of a piston rod "16, as shown in Fig. 1, the said piston rod passingthrougha central bore 17A in the drum shaft 1 and being adapted' for a limited longitudinal reciprocating movement in said drum shaft when actuated by the movement of the piston 14. At its inner end, the piston rod 16 is provided with a key-way or slot lwand the druni shaft 1 is provided with a cilii'i'csponding key-way or slot 19, the said slots 18 and 19 being designed to receivt` a key Qt) as shown in Figs. 1 and 4:7 whereby the rod 1G and the drum shaft 1 are caused to rotate together. In order to admit ot' .he relative sliding movement between the piston rod 1G and the drum shaft 17 the key-way or slot 19 in the shatt 1 is made ot' greater length than the slot 1S in the piston rod, as shown in Fig. 17 while extending around the drum shaft 1 is a sectional talte-up collar represented in detail in Figs. 5 and d, .in which, it will be observed that said collar comprises a pair of corresponding sections Q1 and 2,2 provided in their inner adjacent laces with slots 23 and which register with each other as 'shown in Fig. (S, wherein it will be observed that the slots Q3 and Qf-lare of different depths in each ol the sections 21 and The object in making the slots Q3 and Ql of differentdepths is to allow for wear in the friction ring 8 so that. as said friction ring wears down in use, the druin may be set up closer to the driving gear wheel 6 by i'einoving the hey Q0 from one set of slots 23 and and inserting the saine in another set, as will be readily understood. 3

By reference to Fig. il., it will be seen that the key 20 has its ends reduced or made narrower in width as shown at 25, the portions Q5 fitting within the slots 23 and 2st while the wider centra-l portion ot' thedtey passes through the slots 1S and 19 of the rod 16 and the drum shaft 1. The take-up collar sections 2l and'QQ are'held in place by means of a sectional retainer housing Q6 whichpas shown in Fig. 4 is composed of two equal semi-circular sections provided with abutting ears 27 through which are passed tastening bolts 28. By removing the retainer housing 26, the key Q0 may be shifted troni one ot the slots Q3 and 2:1. to another set to compensate for wear in the friction ring, above noted. By the means described the piston rod 1G is connected to the drum 3 so that as the rod 1G is moved endwise by the piston llt a corresponding movement is imparted to the drum Q thereby carrying the same toward and away from-the friction ring 8 oi the driving gear wheel 6.

29 designates the controller valve casing which is arranged on the outer side oit the cylinder and provided with a tubular eX- tension 30 which tits in an opening 31 in the adjacent head of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. il. The outer end otl said casing i9 is closed by means ot a cap 32 which is removably screwed into the end of the casing, as shown in Fig. 1 and which contains a valve controlling spring 3 3 the inner end ot which bears against a self-balancing spring seat 311, shown in detail in Fig. 8. Said spring seat is of hollow corneal shape in cross section as seen in Fig. 1 and bears against a short pointed rojection oo on the controller valve 36 which controller valve is of hollow cylindi'i al shape as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7 and provided with a suitable number ot' ports 37 which are adapted to move into and out et registry with corresponding ports 38 in a valve tube 39 which extends through the tubular extension 30 of the controller valve casing, as shown in Fie". 1 and has its inner end fitted in a bushing fAlO screwed or otherwise fastened in an opening l1 in the adjacent head of the cylinder. The inner end ot the valve tube is open so that the steam or other fluid may pass into the cylinder and actuate the piston 14. The controller valve 3G is adapted to slide for ay limited distance longitudinally within the valve tube 39 being normally held inward bythe spring 33.

designates the operating valve casing trom which pipes -l3 and all lead to annular passages Ll5 and 116 in the controller easing 2C), the passages ttf and 46 encircling the valve tube 39, the passage L16 communieating with the interior ot the valve tube through the ports 3.7 and 3S while the passage 43 connnunicates with an annular space -t around the valve tube and within the extension 30 oit the controller valve casing, the annular passage or space t7 opening into an annular groove 11S by which the steam or other fluid enters a passage L19 in the head 1() of the, cylinder` The passage 1S) registers with a transverse passage 50 in the peripheral wall ot the cylinder and this in turn communicates with grooved passages 51' in the piston whereby steam or other fluid is led to the opposite or oit side of the piston ll-l into the expansion chamber 52.

53 designates the expansion chamber at the opposite side ot the piston 11 to which the steam or other Huid is taken from the valve tube 39.

The casing -l2`ot the operating valve enibodies the two passages 5t and which communicate respectively with the pipes 13 and slit leading to the controller valve and .aid passages 5st and 55 communicate with a central cylindrical space or chamber 5G in which is mounted the oscillatory operating valve 57 which is adapted toalternately cover and uncover the ports leading to the passages 5ft and 55, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. The valve 57 comprises the central cavity 58 which is of sutiicientsize to' bridge one of the passages 54 and 55 and also throw the same into communication with an exhaust chamber 59 which communicates with an exhaust passage 60 to ,which an e\haustl pipe 61 may be connected,

as shown in Fig. 2. The operating valve 57 is also provided with a hub poi 'tion 62 soi creme yhavinga square =bore adapted to receive `the squared portion '63 of the valve stem \64 which entends outward lthrough :the valve casing and lthrough a stuiing box l65 the stemtlbeing-.eomiected dest at vits outer end to a hand lever 66 which operates across av segment `67 provided at -intenvals with. notohes ad'apt'ed-toibeengaged by aspringl click paiwl 69 having one end attached to fthe 70 designatesa Aguard lsegment etruclt'on .the ysame arcas the segment Y67 and scrving to retain ithe hand [lever 66 Lin .place, saidguard segment being provided withterminal g extensions or legs 71 which bearagainst-the segment` 167 4and vreceive bolts .72 org-their equivalent whereby -two segments are se- Vcured lirmly together. The segment. 67 isi securedto the-.valve casing by'means of bolts or screws 73,as shown ein Fig. Q. l drom the foregoingdescription, it will be understood that with-the operating valve 57 41 in ythe .reverse ofthe :position shown in Fig.,

1, steam or other expansiveruid isa'dmitted through vthe Apipe 48 and annular .passagei around the valve tube 29 through the passage 49 into the expansion chamber 52=thereg bydriving the piston 1.4 away from the gear; wheel G and acting through the piston rodi 1G and key Q0 to draw the winding-drum 2l out of frictional engagement with the ring 8, thereby leaving -the drum 2 tree. By moving the valve 57 to the position shown in Fig. 1, the steam or other fluid is allowed to escape throughthe pipe 43 to the exhaust and at the same time steam is admitted by said valve to the pipe 44, thence it passes through the valve tube 39 into. the expansion chamber 53 thereby driving the piston 14 to the left and by means of the piston rod 16 and key Q0. drum 2 is forced into trictienal engagement with the ring 8 et the gear wheel. (i thus causing said gear wheel to take up the revolving drum 2 for winding the cable or linel thereon.

It will thus be seen that I obtain by simple means thewpdsitive release between the drum and gear wheel and also an automatic control whereby a weak line is prevented from being broken by being overloaded due to the tact lthat the friction would admit of the .necessary slip to prevent winding the line in case oi overloading, the amount of friction beingI regulated by the adjustment of they tension ot' the spring which acts on the controller valve 3G, the tension being adjusted by screwing the cap 32 inward or outward so as to cause the spring to oppose to a greater or lesser extent longitudinal sliding movement ot the controller valve within the valve tube 39. This slipping ot the line or cable not only notifies the engineer that the line is overloaded, but also notities those at- Vtendingthe end ofthe line tothe same etlect. It also does away with thee-necessity ot employing a second or assistant-engineer.

lIt will be understood that when the controller :valveis .in .full registry with-the ports .and in the valve-tube, a full flow ot steam or lother expansive fluid .is permitted and this :arrangementof` parts may be adhered to long as the line is of full strength. lWhen the linebecomes weakened,however, the cap 3Q is screwedoutward so as to -relieve the ftension ot :the spring 33 a suitable amount I 4and fthen the pressure `of the steam will operate to -foree :the controller valve 3G outward toward the cap 32 .thereby partially closing the .ports of :the valve .and correspondingly reducingthe steam pressure entering thecylinder and operating on the pis- Iton 14. This produces an appropriate lighter engagement between the drum and the ydriving gear wheel which will insure slippage between said parts -in accordance 4with the strength of the line or cable wound on -the drum. All oi the advantages above enumerated are attained by mechanism which `is at once simple, reliable Vand not liable to get out of order. At the same time access may be readily obtaiuedto all of the operative par-'teef the. mechanism for purposes of repair. I

By reference to lFig. 1, it vwill be observed that a fluid passage 74 extends from the annular passage 45 :to .the right beneathv the annular passage '46 and communicates with the cavity or space containing themembers 33, 34 and 35. This passage 74 is intended to carry away to the passage 45 the small amount et' accumulation of fluid which is certain to leak between the valve 36 and the valve tube 39. This prevents pressure from forming in the lspring containing chamber which would tend to prevent said spring 33 from performing its function. lli/Then. the controller is working undera light spring tension and a heavy boiler pressure, the ports 37 in the valve 36 will be out ot registry"l with the ports 38 in the valve tube 39, hav ing shifted to the right and reducing the pressure in the chamber 53. lli-Thenthe hand lever 69 is operated or moved to the reversedr position from that shown in Fig. 1, the pressure passes through the pipe 43 into the annular passage 45 and thence through the assage 74 as well. as the passage 49, 50 and 51. Therefore, the pressure which is admitted through the passage 74 aids the spring to shift the valve 36 to the left, thus bringing the ports 37 and 38 into 'registry and allowing the exhaust to escape from the expansion chamber 53.

l claim 1. The combination of a driving wheel, a drum adapted to be clutched and unclutched byrelative movement of the wheel and drum, a piston for producing such relatve movement, a cylinder in Whieh the pis ton is mounted, separate passages 'for admitting' lluul to opposite sides of the plston,

:i valve ilor admitting liuid to one passage while exhz'uisting fluid through tbe other, and zr valve movable eutoi'netieelly to Control the pressure ol the fluid noting on the pistou in utlireetion to hold the drum and wheel clutched.

2. The combination 'of a driving Wheel, n, alruin adapted to be clutched and unclutched by relative movement of the Wheel and drum, u piston. for producing suoli rel- :itive nioveinent, a Cylinder in which the piston is mounted, seperate passages for aclinitting fluid to opposite sides or the piston, u valve 'for admitting fluid to one passage While exhausting H'uul through the othely'a valve movable autoinatieully to control the pressure olf the 'fluid acting on the piston in kn` direction to hold the drinn :incl Wheel clutched, seid vslvebeing provided with a port through which lu'ul pass s. one end of the valve being' eloseil to permit pressure of the .tluiil to eet thereon, and :in adjustable spring for opposing the movement ofthe vulve under the action of the llufl.

` The Combination oil e (lfiving Wheel, 'a drinn adapted to be clutched unelutohed by relative movement of the Wheel :incl drum, e piston for producing such relative movement,v e cylinder in which the pisH ton is inountelfl, tube extentlinf; into the Cvlinder, seifltube having; ports. n conduit leading into vthe cylinder at the side of'tlie piston opposite to the tube, e. sliding valve in the tube having; ports adapted to register with the ports .in the latter, ineens for e@ initting fluid Iunder pressure through the ports in the tube, means for admitting luid through the conduit alternately with the first-mentioned means, and an adjustable spring pressing on the said valve, sacl valve being exposed to thepressure of fluiil passing into the cylinder through the said tube Yfor Causing the valve to vary the ell'eetive urea .of the. ports o1 the tube.

4. rl`he combination With ay driving Wheel und L Winding drum having fr relative sliding movement on the seme shaft, of coperiiting friction elements ou saidV Wlieelfe'nd drum, a cylinder, fluid operati-ifq piston movable brick and forth in said. oylinder, and connected with the drum ella-tior causing a relative movementbetween seid driving Wheel and drum to effect au engagement and disengagement of the friction elements thereof, and en automatic pressure eontrollecl velve `for regulating the pressure iu said cylinder, seid valve having combined therewith ou adjustable, spriu tension.

ln 'testimony whereof l sys. my sigl'ieture in presence of twvojiviti 

